Platform Screen Doors (PSD) are safety barriers installed between the passenger platform and railway track, particularly on metro and automated railway systems.

When a train arrives and stops at its designated position, the PSD system coordinates with the train and signalling or train control systems to permit the platform doors and corresponding train doors to open. Before the train is authorised to depart, the system confirms that the platform screen doors are closed and secured.

PSD systems improve passenger safety by reducing the risk of accidental falls, deliberate track access and objects entering the track area. They can also support more controlled passenger boarding and improve station operational safety.

In underground and air-conditioned stations, full-height PSDs can physically separate the platform environment from the tunnel. This can improve environmental control and influence station HVAC, smoke-control and tunnel ventilation performance.

Different configurations include full-height platform screen doors, platform edge doors and automatic platform gates, depending on the railway’s operational and architectural requirements.

PSD design requires accurate coordination with rolling stock door positions, platform geometry, stopping accuracy, signalling, Automatic Train Operation (ATO), Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), power supply, station control systems and fire and life-safety requirements.

For highly automated GoA3 and GoA4 railways, PSDs or equivalent platform-edge protection are commonly important elements of the overall unattended or driverless operating concept.

mainline, high_speed, metro, light_rail, freight, station

IEC 62290 series where applicable; EN 17168; applicable railway platform, fire and life-safety, accessibility and project-specific requirements